Front Range Rally taps into beer and food interests

Saturday, May 18, event will raise funds for the Food Bank for Larimer County

By James Garcia Special to the Reporter-Herald

Posted:
05/16/2013 03:12:03 PM MDT

Sample from area craft beer and mobile food vendors at the Front Range Rally on May 18, a benefit for the Food Bank for Larimer County.
(Reporter-Herald file photo/Jenny Sparks)

It's no hidden fact that northern Colorado has a plethora of craft beer breweries, so Grimm Brothers Brewhouse out of Loveland has put together the Front Range Rally, a celebration of community, exquisite beer and live music, to raise money for Food Bank for Larimer County.

"The Front Range Rally is a festival celebrating craft beer and quality mobile food vendors. The two go hand in hand. The event is a fundraising activity benefiting Food Bank For Larimer County," said Paul Ferguson, project manager for the rally and marketing director for Grimm Brothers.

GO & DO

Front Range Rally

When: 3-7 p.m. Saturday, May 18.

Where: Loveland Food Share, 2600 N. Lincoln Ave., Loveland.

Tickets: $33 for festival entry and beer sampling, or $40 for with food tokens.

The Food Bank provided about 8 million pounds of food to those in need in 2012, in an effort toward a hunger-free Larimer County. Its stated mission is to "provide food to all in need through community partnerships and hunger-relief programs."

"We have worked with Food Bank on several fundraising events in the past. Grimm Brothers supports lots of nonprofit activities in Northern Colorado but we especially like Food Bank because of the scope of their work and the amazing efficiency by which they accomplish it," Ferguson said. "Food Bank seemed to be the logical choice as a beneficiary for a beer and food festival."

The rally has garnered sufficient sponsorship funds to cover expenses, and all beer is donated free of charge by the 34 participating breweries. Food vendors are donating a portion of their revenue to the event and all net proceeds are going directly to Food Bank.

"When Food Bank gains, the community gains. We live in a community where hunger is not always visible but it is clearly there," Ferguson said. "Secondly, we want this to become a regular event that highlights the Loveland community. Along with Loveland Loves BBQ, Corn Roast and the new Oktoberfest, we want Front Range Rally to contribute to Loveland becoming a festival destination."

Thirty-four breweries have come together for this event, from around the state and beyond, donating more than $16,000 in beer (at wholesale prices), an admittedly conservative estimate according to Ferguson. They reached their capacity for brewers early on and have had to turn many down since.

"Who should come? Everyone 21 years old and over who loves craft beer, sort of likes craft beer, is curious about craft beer and the designated drivers for the other three categories," Ferguson said. "Also, people who love food, fun, live music and community."

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